Swimming device



(No Model.)

W. LUCE. SWIMMING DEVICE.

Patented May 19, `1896.

Va'ZZz'awz Luo@ NDREW B.GRA!|M. PNDTOMTMQWASHINGTDKD C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM LUCE, OF NEHALEM, OREGON.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,590, dated May 19, 1896.

Application filed July 16, 1895.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LUCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nehalem, in the county of Tillamook and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Swimming Device, of which the following is a specification. Y

This invention relates to swimming apparatus designed to enable and facilitate the propulsion of the body through the water, and relates to that class of appliances which embody in their organization a folding structure which contracts when the limb is advanced and expands when the limb is thrust rearwardly, so as to obtain a purchase upon the water and impel the swimmer forward.

The improvement consists, primarily, of the.

novel manner of constructing the ribs and attaehing the same to a band whereby their outward movement is limited when the folding structure is expanded; also in the novel details of construction which hereinafter will be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a contrivance constructed in accordance withthe principles of this invention, the folding structure being shown expanded. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a rib, showing the manner of its pivotal connection with the band, the dotted lines showing the samein its unfolded position. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of one of the ribs.

The frame 1 is oblong in form and approximates the outline of the limb, to which it is designed to be attached, and it is constructed preferably of stout wire suitably finished and properly tempered, and which will be equipped with appropriate harness for attachment of the device to the limb. A semicircular band 2 is attached to the side members of the frame and its edge portions are reinforced. The folding structure is secured to the band 2, and comprises a series of ribs 3 and a web 4, the latter being firmly attached to the ribs. The ribs 3 are formed from wire of suitable gage, which is cut into proper lengths, each length being doubled upon itself and coiled at the folded end so as to provide an eye 5. The folded portions'of the wire are brought together and extend in parallel relation, and their inner ends are spread or opserin No. 556,183. on man.)

positely deiiected, as shown at 6, and are bent at right angles, as shown at 7, and the extremities are formed into eyes 8, which are looped into openings 9 near one edge of the band 2. The oppositely-deilected portions 6 of the ribs brace the latter against lateral stress, and the bent ends 7 are adapted to engage with the band and limit the outward movement or unfolding of the said ribs. The web 4, which may be of oiled silk or other suitable light waterproof fabric, is secured to the ribs in any convenient manner, preferably by stitching, and the outer edge portion thereof is strengthened by a cord 10, which is inserted in a hem and which passes through the eyes at the outer ends of the ribs.

The device isintended to be applied to .the tibial portion of the limb, and is secured thereon by the strap 11 at the front end of the frame'and bythe straps 12 and 13 at the rear end of the frame, the strap 12 being secured at one end to the rear closed end of the frame and adapted to pass beneath the foot and having a loop 14 at its free end for the passage therethrough of the strap 13, which passes around the ankle and is buckled to that member of the frame opposite the one to which the strap 13 is attached. To add to the comfort of the structure, the frame will in practice be padded at proper points, and this is not shown, as it will suggest itself to the manufacturer and user.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacricing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a swimming apparatus, the combination with a supporting-band having a series of openings along one edge, of a folding structure comprising ribs having their inner ends bent and looped into the said openings and limited in their outward movement by engagement of the bent ends of the ribs with the band, substantially as described.

2. In a swimming apparatus, the combination with a supporting-band having a series of openings along one edge, of a folding structure comprising ribs, each rib consisting of two members lying side by side and touching IOO for the greater part of their length, the inner ends of the members being oppositely deileeted and bent and looped into the said openings of the band, the ribs being limited in their outward movement by engagement of the bent ends of the members with the band, substantially in the manner set orth.

3. A rib for the folding structure of swimming apparatus, Constructed substantially as herein specified, formed from a single length of Wire folded npon itself and @oiled at the fold to provide an eye, and having the members extending in parallel relation, the inner ends of the members being spread or oppositely deflected and bent at approximately right angles and terminating in eyes, substantially as set forth for the purpose described.

l. The hereinspecified swimming appliance, Comprising a frame equipped with suitable harness for attachment of the device to the limb, a semieirenlar supporting-band attaehed to the frame, a series of ribs each having an eye at its outer end,omaositely-defieeted portions and bent ends at its inner end, which bent ends are looped into openings in proximate relation to one edge of the said supporting-band, and a web attached to the said ribs and having its outer edge corded and secured to the eyes at the outer extremities of the ribs, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I elaim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my si gnature in the presence of two Witnesses.

VILLIAH LUCE.

1Witnesses WILLIAM W. JAoons, W, F. G-LnAsoN. 

